“Second Senior Brother truly is a man of unparalleled elegance!”

Su Zhe pinched his nose and spoke with feigned admiration.

“What elegance? I don’t know about that, but Junior Brother, you must never follow his example,” came the reply.

“I joined the inner sect and climbed step by step to become a direct disciple. Due to my mediocre aptitude, Master believed my potential was limited.”

“But Junior Brother Xiao, with his Grade A roots and natural talent for the smithing arts, had every chance to fulfill Master’s lifelong ambition. Yet, he yearned for the chaos of the mortal world… Such a waste of his gifts!”

Guo Ju shook his head, his frustration palpable. The mention of Xiao Xunhuan brought a bitter pang to his heart.

After their day-long conversation, Su Zhe came to understand Guo Ju’s story.

Guo Ju, possessing Grade B+ aptitude, was decent but far from exceptional. Yet his diligent nature and steady progress after entering the inner sect earned him a place as a direct disciple under Master Sun Tiexin.

Honest and principled, Guo Ju revered Sun Tiexin as a father figure, obeying him without question. Seeing their Master place such hope in Xiao Xunhuan only to have it squandered filled Guo Ju with regret.

When Master wasn’t around, Guo Ju took it upon himself to mentor Xiao Xunhuan. Unfortunately, his straightforward demeanor often left him outwitted by Xiao, who escaped discipline time and again.

“Master’s ambition?” Su Zhe latched onto the clue and asked, puzzled.

“It’s nothing. You’ll understand once you visit the Craftsmanship Hall,” Guo Ju replied, steering the conversation away. “Junior Brother Su, as another direct disciple with exceptional talent—blessed with the rare Beast Mark—you mustn’t follow in Second Senior Brother’s footsteps and squander your potential!”

Su Zhe nodded earnestly. “I understand and will not disappoint Master or you, Senior Brother.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Guo Ju’s worry eased at this response. Over the day, his impression of Su Zhe had greatly improved.

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The Craftsmanship Wing – Western Quarters

Su Zhe sat in his room, examining his aptitude.

[Aptitude: Grade B (Base), Grade B+ (With Equipment)]

His aptitude, once Grade B-, had been steadily improving since opening his second spirit aperture, and today, it had advanced to Grade B. Equipped with the Flood Dragon Silk, he felt the transformative power of the Heavenly Creation Cauldron refining his body.

“Flood Dragon Silk enhances strength and speed in harmony. The dragon’s power is unparalleled, and even the flood dragon, lesser than a true dragon, possesses immense strength. This technique complements my Mighty Bull Technique perfectly. Perhaps the two methods can synergize, hastening my progress to mastery!”

This realization lit a spark of inspiration in Su Zhe, who immediately set out to refine his techniques under the moonlight.

In a secluded field, he practiced tirelessly. The force of his hammer strikes reverberated like thunder, each blow precise and powerful. His footwork, based on the Flood Dragon Steps, was fluid and unpredictable, combining speed and agility.

From the shadows, Guo Ju watched silently. He had followed out of concern, worried that Su Zhe might stray like Xiao Xunhuan. Instead, what he saw moved him deeply.

“At last, a junior brother who is diligent and driven,” Guo Ju thought, his heart swelling with relief.

As dawn broke, Su Zhe’s training bore fruit. He felt his blood surging through his body, vigorous and unyielding. Even the morning dew evaporated from his clothes with a single flex of his muscles.

“Peak of the First Grade!”

“And the Flood Dragon Technique… I’ve reached entry-level mastery!”

Excitement surged within him. Although mastering the Flood Dragon Technique was arduous, his progress was swift thanks to his natural aptitude and treasures.

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The Craftsmanship Hall

By morning, Su Zhe returned to the Craftsmanship Hall. Passing through its grand crimson gates, he inhaled the scent of molten metal and burning coal. Inside, disciples forged weapons with unrelenting focus, their strikes resonating with a martial rhythm.

The sight was inspiring. Su Zhe, who had spent three years as an outer disciple hammering raw materials, now saw the higher-level techniques of inner disciples. The sophistication left him awestruck.

“Did you learn something?”

The booming voice of Sun Tiexin broke Su Zhe’s reverie.

The disciples ceased their work, bowing toward their master.

“Greetings, Master!”

Su Zhe joined the chorus, his respect evident. Sun Tiexin, seated on a grand iron chair, waved dismissively but regarded Su Zhe with a softer gaze.

“You’ve been diligent,” Sun Tiexin said, nodding. “Let’s see how much you’ve grown…”